Australian weather just makes you crave for that perfectly peaceful retreat – at home, yet outdoors. You’ve had thoughts about creating your own home tea garden and it’s a perfect plan. How do you get started, though? What elements do you need and what is still considered fashionable? We are going to discuss all the details below.
Creating shade
Of course, the main purpose of your tea garden is to keep you sheltered from the scorching sun. Choose a place underneath one or several large trees. If you don’t find any such shaded location, consider installing a very large umbrella, in a light or vivid colour. Dark shades won’t do in a proper tea garden.
Choosing the furniture
You’ll need to view different offers from outdoor furniture Sydney stores before you decide. However, know that several styles apply. French bistro chairs and tables with their vintage charm are still the classic choice. Comfortable rattan sets are also suitable. Wrought iron goes well with the concept, too. Even minimalistic furniture works fine, as long as it’s in white or pastel colours. Always pay attention to this aspect and avoid dark or too bright hues. Keep in mind that the table is the central piece. It doesn’t matter whether it’s round or square, as long as it’s pretty.
Selecting the plants
No tea garden is complete without the actual plants to grow and use for tea. Additionally, these can make for a great discussion topic. Choose herbs that you can easily grow, depending on how much time you spend at home. Also, the garden soil matters, along with the amount of sunshine that hits the selected patch. Many herbs are visually appealing and very fragrant, so you’ll have a great time tending to your garden. Mint is a great choice, since it scores well on all aspects and tends to grow and fill out the space. Rosemary also grows well in a warm climate. Lemon balm is wonderful in teas and can go through many days of dry weather. Other herbs that grow well in Sydney are basil (loves sunlight), coriander, lavender, parsley and thyme. These develop at different levels, so you can have a diverse, appealing layered garden.
Preparing the soil
Apart from ensuring it’s got nutrients through using compost regularly, you also need to make sure the soil is well drained. If it tends to stay watery, then you can ensure its drainage by raising it. Create a raised soil bed for your herbs and it will drain water naturally. You may use rocks for stability as well as for drainage purposes.
Decorating
The beauty of a tea garden at your home lies in the details. When it comes to flowers, you may add as many and as diverse as you like. Apart from that, you may employ hanging lamps or small light bulbs for a whimsical look when the evening draws in. For daytime, choose vases and pots to place around or right on the table. You may also opt for decorative bird cages, beautiful trays.
It wouldn’t be bad to have a vintage tea cart, too. Throw a few lovely blankets or pillows onto the chairs and enjoy. Your tea garden corner can be shabby chic, playful, zen or romantic. It’s up to you to pick the best style for inspiration and turn your dream into reality.